Re: electronic travel aids
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýThis may not be a very encouraging response, but I feel it is appropriate to describe my experience attempting to train a gentleman who had a similar set of disabilities with one of the neckless devices manufactured years ago by Neurion Industries. . He was able to wear the device, and he indicated that he understood what the signals from the device meant, but he was unable to react appropriately. He would acknowledge that the device told him he was going to run into a wall. He would then run into the wall and seemed pleased that the device knew it ahead of him, but he was completely unable to change his behavior to avoid the collision, or in any way to improve safety in independent travel, Also, the Neurion device was supposed to detect drop-offs. While the warning would have probably done this guy no good even if it was dependable, testing with the device showed only about an 80% accuracy rate. There were very few drop-offs or downward stair flights in the facility where he lived, but with this degree of accuracy, it would not have been safe to let him use the device independently even if he was able to react appropriately to the signals he was receiving. ?I have tried to track progress of such signaling devices over the years, and I am still not convinced that a device is out there that is sufficiently dependable in terms of drop-off detection. As far as I am concerned, the accuracy of such a device would need to be around 100% and I simply do not believe that this has been achieved. Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. > Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind > 712 S. Kansas Avenue > Suite 414D-F > Topeka, Kansas 66603 > (785) 221-7111 > ByingtonCOMS@...?? ?
? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Melanie Hughes
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 3:19 PM To: O&M Listserv ([email protected]) <[email protected]> Subject: [OandM] electronic travel aids ? Hello everyone,? I need some help finding an electronic aid that is in current production for a severely disabled woman.? The list of limitations is long:? she is non-verbal, severely intellectually delayed, totally blind, must wear mitts on her hands and a helmet to prevent self harm and will not hold anything in her hands.? Anything placed in her hand is dropped immediately.? The only potential solution I can think of is an ETA that will hang around her neck, but my internet searches are coming up empty.? The residential facility where she lives is willing to support this but is anyone still making them?? Whatever it is, it cannot be on her face (like Sonar Glasses) nor handheld.? It has to attach to her body somehow.? I recall one that went on the wrist but I don¡¯t even know if that will work because of the mitts.? ? Any leads would be appreciated! ? Melanie Hughes, M.S., COMS Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Fairfax office Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired 11150 Fairfax Blvd. St. 502?Fairfax, VA 22030 Mobile:? 571-422-3579 FAX: 703 359 1111 |?|? ?
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